The Fred West Tool Chest Collaboration

I was contacted about 4 months ago by Scott Meek to see if I was interested in donating some Sterling Tool Works items to commemorate Fred West, a huge proponent of Boutique tool suppliers that lost his battle with Cancer.  I was sorry that I never met him but his legacy helped me gain the fortitude to start Sterling Tool Works.  I was honored to be asked and be amongst the other great participants.

Read more about the raffle to be held at this years Woodworking in America this September 12 and 13th in Winstom Salem NC.  Read more here on Megan Fitzpatrick’s (editor of Popular Woodworking) blog.

FW Chest overall
IMG_7960

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Sterling Tool Works and Scott Meek Collaboration

Scott Meek was one of the first people to test The Sterling Plane Hammer, he loved it so much he asked me if I was interested in making them for him.  This is the first unit, it has Scott’s logo on one side and the Sterling Tool Works logo on the other side.  The plane behind the hammer is a beautiful Teak and Cocobolo Jointer that Scott Made for me.  Check out Scott’s work here.

Plane Hammer - S Meek

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Sterling Tool Works Distributor in the UK- Classic Hand Tools!

I am pleased to announce that Sterling Tool Works has its first distributor in the United Kingdom, Classic Hand Tools! Alex Primmer the manager at Classic Hand Tools recently took the Anarchist Tool Chest class at the New England Workshop and fell in love with the Saddle-Tail while building his chest during the class.  He immediately contacted me and placed his first order.  Classic Hand Tools will be carrying Saddle-Tail dovetail markers and the new Sterling Plane Hammer!

Thank you Alex, we look forward to this partnership! For those shopping in the UK, check out Sterling Products at Classic Hand Tools here.

photo

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Sterling Plane Hammers: First Run – GONE!

Monday I shipped the first ten production Sterling Plane Hammers to the first ten buyers from the preorder list.  I am in the middle of the next larger build and hope to have more units available to sell  to the public on the website in the next few weeks.  The price will be $120 each plus shipping, the price includes an additional replacement wooden face that I have affectionately named the wooden “spud”.  Stay tuned for the launch of the webpage with more details and the PayPal button to order yours! The most popular adjective so far to describe them is “sexy” I will take that! Thank you loyal Sterling Tool Works fans for jumping in first! I hope you post here after you open your package!

Plane Hammer 4

 

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Price Increase on the Saddle-Tail Dovetail Marker

I am thankful for the support that all my customers have provided and continue to provide Sterling Tool Works.  Its been about 9 months since the first sale of Saddle-Tails at WIA 2013.  The Saddle-Tails that I am making today are the best yet but continue to be labor intensive to get the fit and finish to my increasing standards. I will be raising the price of the Saddle-Tails modestly from $75 to $80 at midnight July 18th 2014.  I give this notice to those that might have been considering a purchase and just haven’t got around to placing an order. Some of you will note that last week the introductory pricing of the Saddle-Tail 2 expired and it is now $60 each.   Thank you for your continued support!

Dovetail Marker

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Thank you John Francis Designs – Talented CNC Machinist

I “met” John Welch the owner of John Francis Designs on Instagram, he is very talented CNC machinist by day and woodworker by night and weekends.  We connected and discussed some special projects that I had in mind that required CNC capability that I don’t have.  John delivered BIG TIME!  Here is a picture of an emblem that he machined of the Sterling Tool Works medallion its 5 inches at the maximum diameter.

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This medallion will be used on an upcoming project that I have wanted to start but have been too busy with the new plane hammer and other Sterling tasks to begin.  I look forward to unveiling the project(s) at WIA at the latest!

If you have needs for CNC machining, I can highly recommend John.  You can contact John at john(at)johnfrancisdesigns(dot)com he has a website coming soon.  He has provided others with leather stamps, and branding irons so making a “negative” of something is not an issue for him.

Thank you John for a superb job on these special items!

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Sterling Tool Works: Tools by craftsmen for craftspeople

Sterling Tool Works is a part time endeavor, but its very rewarding especially when such excellent craftspeople provide feedback about Sterling tools.  One such talented person, Kieran Binnie a luthier from the United Kingdom wrote a wonderful review on the Saddle-Tail dovetail marker.  Kieran is breaching out this summer to learn dovetails and do other woodworking, I was honored with his purchase as one of his newest tools!

Check out Kieran’s full review Here  and link to his excellent blog!  Some of my favorite quotes: I have some tools which do their job so perfectly, and have been made with such craftsmanship, that I can’t help but recommend them.”

“The brass body, is flutted for ease of picking up off the edge of a board and the curves of the fluting have a lovely feel in the hand.”

“I cannot recommend the Saddle-Tail too highly… If, like me, your tools are an expression of the values of craftsmanship which we all seek to put into our own work, then this is the perfect addition to your tool chest.”

Well said Kieran, Its the Vision of Sterling Tool Works; Craftsmen like you inspire us with your work and I in turn want to provide tools that embody your spirit.  You have provided so perfectly a new condensed tag line; Tools by Craftsmen for Craftspeople!  Thank you so much for your review!

Kieran Saddle-Tail

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Started the small run of Plane Hammers

For those of you not following Sterling Tool Works on social media, the Sterling Plane Hammer design has been finalized and the short production run started.  I am filling up the pre order list, so please email me if you are interested.  Here are some photos to share:

Plane Hammer 3

Plane Hammer Group

 

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Saddle-Tail Dovetail Marker on Cover of F&C Magazine

I am very excited to share with you all that Sterling Tool Works’ Saddle-Tail was featured on the cover of Furniture and Cabinetmaking Magazine’s July Issue.  Furniture and Cabinet Making is a magazine based out of the UK that in the May edition did a mini review of the Saddle-Tail you can read more about the review here.  My friend Jason Thigpen at www.txheritage.net has a featured article on building a Moxon vise in this issue, his vise is the main feature on the cover! Congratulations Jason!   I understand that Jason will have some of these hardware kits for sale at WIA in September.

F&C July 2014

 

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Announcing the Sterling Tool Works Plane Hammer

Recently I unveiled the next tool from Sterling Tool Works through Social Media, the feedback was phenomenal!  I am finally posting here for those that don’t Follow Sterling Tool Works on social media.

Introducing the Sterling plane adjustment hammer for for wooden planes. The Sterling Plane Hammer is finely manufactured in the USA from Brass Alloy and North American Black Walnut (juglans nigra).

Plane Hammer

The Sterling Tool Works Plane Adjustment Hammer is designed to be used to adjust plane blades and wooden Plane wedges for wooden hand planes.  The Hammer is not intended to be used to drive nails or for intense striking of other objects.  The wooden “spud” is made from soft wood and is meant to be consumed and replaced.  This reduces the marks and dings that are imparted onto your prized wooden plane wedges.

The handles are hand turned and have a wonderful feel in the hand that balances the head very nicely.

Plane Hammer2

I am planning a short run of these hammers to finalize the pricing and through the overwhelming feedback from Social Media I have started a priority list for the initial run.  Please email me if you would like to be contacted when they are available, there is no obligation as pricing is not finalized, however those on the priority list will get first option to purchase before they will be available to purchase on the website.  Please email me at Chris(at)SterlingToolWorks(dot)com with your interest and I will add you to the list.  I plan to have the first units shipping in July.

Thank you,

Chris

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